In commemoration of the 2024 World Maritime Day, the President of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers/Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA), Engineer Bob Joseph Yousuo has called for a renewed focus on maritime safety and compliance with international conventions
In his goodwill message, Engr. Yousuo praised mariners worldwide, particularly Nigerian mariners, for their unwavering contributions to international seaborne trade and the global economy. He highlighted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) had mandated the celebration to recognize the vital role mariners play in sustaining global trade and ensuring the flow of goods across the seas.
He stressed that Nigeria, as a maritime nation, must adhere to global safety standards and practices to safeguard maritime investments, life, property, and vessel seaworthiness within the country’s territorial waters.
Engr. Yousuo also called attention to the importance of complying with international maritime conventions such as the MARPOL, SOLAS, ISPS, and STCW conventions, all of which were discussed at the International Day of the Seafarers in June 2024.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria to think outside the box by improving maritime institutions to meet global standards, particularly by engaging experienced Master Mariners and Engineers as lecturers to impart practical knowledge.
He specifically recommended that the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should engage Nigerian Master Mariners and Engineers as part-time lecturers in our maritime institutions with special packages, noting that this would help raise the standard of maritime education in Nigeria.
He further urged shipping companies to comply with policies such as the Nigerian Union of Indigenous Crew members (NUIC) stipulation that all shipping companies must have a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Engr. Yousuo called on NIMASA to make the submission of CBAs a requirement for shipping company license renewal, stressing that proper wages for mariners must meet global standards and be paid promptly.
